Celebrating the winners: special screenings on the 15th anniversary of AFF
Where did our American Dream begin? How has independent cinema from the U.S. evolved over recent years? The American Film Festival returns to Wrocław for its 15th edition, and this milestone offers the perfect opportunity to reflect on the (r)evolution of styles, genres, and themes brought forth by the winners of our feature competition.
The anniversary program includes 13 standout films, from Debra Granik’s electrifying Winter’s Bone (featuring Jennifer Lawrence’s breakthrough role) to last year’s winner, Late Bloomers by Lisa Steen. All films will be available to watch at New Horizons Cinema from November 5–11, and select titles will also stream on the NH VOD platform until November 17.
Tickets for both on-site and online screenings are now available for purchase. Visit our website to view the full program of the 15th American Film Festival.
As part of the anniversary section, we've brought together the winners of the Spectrum competition, beginning with the festival's first edition in 2010 — films that resonated most with our audience. This showcase serves as both a retrospective and a farewell to the competition under its original name. From now on, we invite you to discover groundbreaking stories and vote for your favorites in the newly named Breakthrough section, as well as in the documentary category, American Docs.
1. Winter’s Bone, dir. Debra Granik | 2010
The frigid and unfriendly Ozark mountains and an even more frigid and unfriendly community of people who are living a personal nightmare instead of the American Dream. Powerful, intense cinema, with an outstanding performance by Jennifer Lawrence.
2. Somewhere Tonight, dir. Michael Di Jiacomo | 2011
A subtle, heartwarming story about small yet profound human dramas and the need for connection. Sometimes, any path to that connection is a good one—even if it leads through sexting links. Featuring outstanding performances by John Turturro and Katherine Borowitz.
3. Safety Not Guaranteed, dir. Colin Trevorrow | 2012
Mark Duplass and Aubrey Plaza. Honestly, that’s reason enough to watch. But beyond that, it's a crazy, beautifully bizarre love story. We think.
4. Short Term 12, dir. Destin Daniel Cretton | 2013
A generous helping of empathy and sharp humor underscores this poignant story about teenagers in a foster care center. For coming-of-age fans, this film is an absolute essential.
5. Dope, dir. Rick Famuyiwa | 2015
Fashion for the 90s? This trend has come around (again) nearly a decade ago in our part of the world, but Dope is set in 2015 with a heavy nod to that iconic era. Malcolm, a determined teen from Los Angeles, lives and breathes ’90s style. So, throw on your best outfit and tag along with him, accompanied on screen by A$AP Rocky, Zoë Kravitz, and Chanel Iman, among others.
6. Hunky Dory, dir. Michael Curtis Johnson | 2016
Still in Los Angeles, we move to the vibrant drag scene, where we meet Sidney—a drag star who’s also a father striving to balance his passion with his parental duties. Hunky Dory shatters conventional ideas about what good parenting can look like.
7. Lucky, dir. John Carroll Lynch | 2017
The unlamented Harry Dean Stanton, star of Paris, Texas and Twin Peaks, bids farewell to cinema in a film seemingly crafted just for him. In John Carroll Lynch's directorial debut, Stanton plays Lucky, a contemplative loner reflecting on life’s fleeting moments, joined by Tom Skerritt himself and... David Lynch.
8. The Hate U Give, dir. George Tillman Jr. | 2018
A story about growing up, with an important and powerful political message. The Hate U Give resonates as a powerful statement on the realities faced by Americans, especially those from marginalized communities. This film showcases the awakening of social responsibility and empathy, even for strangers, in a complex world.
9. Saint Frances, dir. Alex Thompson | 2019
Even now, we find ourselves asking: how did he pull it off? Alex Thompson has combined provocative themes with unforced, light and hellishly intelligent humor; a tale of life's confusion with a huge dose of cordiality. Perhaps one of the most insightful depictions of 30-somethings in recent memory, the film entertains while it teaches, teaches while it moves, and moves while it amuses.
10. The Surrogate, dir. Jeremy Hersh | 2020
What truly makes a family? Can anyone take responsibility for someone else’s happiness, especially when carefully laid plans fall apart? Jeremy Hersh challenges stereotypes—particularly those about the LGBTQ+ community—by presenting a nuanced portrait of people facing an unexpected test.
11. Down with the King, dir. Diego Ongaro | 2021
Famous rapper Mercury Maxwell (portrayed by Freddie Gibbs, a master of the genre, in his big screen debut), decides to take a break from the music industry. Seeking solace, he heads to rural America to find peace on a farm. This simple premise blossoms into a tender, humanistic story about the need to catch a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
12. Acidman, dir. Alex Lehmann | 2022
Following the excellent Blue Jay, this film is further proof of Alex Lehmann's talent. The director explores themes of loneliness, anxieties about aging parents, and nostalgia for the past. Acidman is a contemplative journey told in two strong voices.
13. Late Bloomers, dir. Lisa Steen | 2023
Life isn’t easy for 28-year-old Louise. A string of setbacks has left her bruised, literally—an accident lands her in rehab with a serious hip injury. There, she meets the much older Antonina (the outstanding Małgorzata Zajączkowska), with whom she establishes an unusual, uplifting relationship. A wise, heartwarming story about the fact that sometimes it's better to do something late, than never at all.
